[Acute porphyrias viewed differently]. / Akute Porphyrien mal anders betrachtet.

ABSTRACT

The acute porphyrias are a group of four metabolic defects in which the heme synthesis in the liver is disrupted. They are characterized by massively painful acute attacks, which can be life-threatening if not diagnosed. To raise the awareness for these rare disorders, a heme molecule in cartoon style is introduced, which accurately explains the basic biochemical processes in the body and mediates important information on the acute hepatic porphyrias in a simplified and attractive way. The article is complemented by a case report.